Brian Eno Encourages Support to Get Together for Palestine Song to UK Festive Top Spot.
A fundraising initiative is aiming to launch a traditional song from Palestine to the Christmas number one spot. The project hopes to send support to Gaza's residents while also spotlighting Palestinian artistic heritage.
An Opportunity for Solidarity and an "Surprise Victory"
Composer and producer Brian Eno, who features on the track, stated that the single 'Lullaby' represents a moment to show solidarity with Palestinians over the Christmas period. He remarked the potential for an unlikely festive coup.
“It would be fantastic if that came to pass, yes,” he stated. “I’m not gonna be completely disappointed if it doesn't manage to, festive releases are a category of their own.”
Defiant Message of Dignity and Freedom
Palestinian singer Nai Barghouti, who sings on the adaptation of a traditional lullaby called Yamma Mwel El Hawa, explained the track's resilient spirit.
“It occupies a deeply meaningful spot for a lot of people,” Barghouti shared. “It’s basically saying that I would prefer a dignified death than spend my life without freedom. That’s the main theme of the song; we seek to lead a life of dignity that we deserve as Palestinians.”
Production History and Featured Artists
The single was laid down in the wake of a solidarity show held in September. Originally intended to be captured during the live event, the performance was shelved during the concert due to scheduling overruns.
The notable list of musicians appearing on Lullaby features a range of prominent voices from the music world. All participated in the benefit event, which reportedly raised a significant sum for charitable causes.
Creation and Launch
Lullaby was produced by a group of producers and composers. The song features a fusion of the traditional Arabic lyrics with freshly written English words.
The group managing the campaign have emphasized that their goal is to generate maximum funds for a charitable pot. These donations will be channeled to Palestinian causes through an partnering humanitarian organization.
“There is no a fixed goal,” a spokesperson said. “We will pursue whatever we can get. Obviously, the greater the amount, the better. Every penny goes out to Gaza.”
The context in the region was noted for its profound destruction, with a vast majority of property said to be in ruins or severely impacted.
“In that context, a few million is unlikely to make that much difference. But I think what truly matters is first of all making this cause better known and proving that another narrative exists.”
The song is set to be released on Friday. Additionally, a complete film of the benefit event will be made available for streaming on a digital service from the 19th of December.